Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 205: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if long-term carers will qualify for contributory pension entitlements in recognition of the savings to the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33344/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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To qualify for a State pension (contributory), three conditions must be satisfied:

(i) Date of entry into insurance (at full or modified rate) before age 56;

(ii) A certain number of full-rate contributions must be paid. From 6 April 2012, the minimum number of paid contributions required to pass the first contribution test for a State pension (contributory) will increase from 260 to 520.

(iii) A minimum yearly average of at least 10 (using full-rate contributions and credits) from date of entry into insurance to the end of the last full contribution year before age 66.

People who have been carers since April 1994 may avail of the homemakers' scheme. It is of benefit to those who worked outside the home for a period, then spent a number of years as carers and then return to the workforce.

From 5 April 1994, any contribution year spent as a homemaker or carer may be disregarded in the calculation of the yearly average up to a maximum of 20 years. The fact that a carer does not have any contributions in those years will not affect his or her entitlement to a pension so long as they otherwise meet the eligibility criteria.